Re-signings -
Dustin Keller
• 4 Years - 18.5 Million - Coming off a down year, Keller reluctantly takes this multimillion dollar deal. It is a rather generous contract, and for a team in desperate need for playmakers, Keller comes back to prove his worth with a new QB in town.
Braylon Edwards
• 1 Year - 1.1 Million - Braylon has had great success in New York, and has picked up his play in green and white. For some reason, his play elevates, and his desire to play the game at 100% is beloved by New York fans.
Brandon Moore
• 2 Years - 6.5 Million - Moore is given a 2 year deal to stay in New York. He is one of our lone leaders, and veteran presences, and will retire in New York.
Austin Howard
• 1 Year, 1.3 Million - Howard, as a RFA, stays in New York. He showed tons of potential, and has the opportunity to man the RT position for a long time.
Yeremiah Bell
• 1 Year 1.3 Million - Bell is proven commodity, and hard hitting Safety. He knows where to be, and rarely gets beat. Solid veteran safety presence next to a young pup.
Trades -
The New York Jets trade Bilal Powell,Tim Tebow, and a 2014 6th round pick to the Tennessee Titans for a 4th round pick. Tebow provides a willing backup to QB Jake Locker, and Bilal Powell is the backup HB a team like the Titans have been searching for.
Free Agency -
- The Jets sign Donald Thomas to a 2 year, 5 million dollar contract. Thomas gives the Jets a young guard who has the potential to take the LG position. Thomas has had starting experience with an elite offensive line ala The Pats, and was great with the Dolphins this year.
- The Jets sign ILB/OLB Aaron Curry to a 1 year, 850,000 dollar contract. I was a huge fan of Curry coming out of college, and feel that Rex will be more than capable to find a role for the highly gifted Curry.
- The Jets sign HB Brian Leonard to a 2 year 1.9 million dollar contract. Leonard is a do it all kinda guy. Can line up at HB or FB. Willing blocker with quick feet, and hands to catch the ball out of the backfield. Knowledgable player who can do it all.
- The Jets sign K, Jay Feely, 2 years, 3 million. Feely reunites with Rex. He's a team leader, that will bring a locker room presence, as well as clutch kicking.
- The Jets sign TE Evan Moore to a league minimum contract.
I've had the flu all week, and put extensive coverage into watching tape. I've worked out the numbers to fit in the teams cap.
Round 1:
There are a plethora of prospects I'm highly interested in at 9. For me, it came down to 2 outside linebackers; Barkevious Mingo and Dion Jordan.
In Mingo and Jordan, it's really a toss up. Some days I want Jordan, others Mingo. Both players have a ton of potential. For Jordan, I love his potential. He's 6'7 with a huge wingspan, adding to that, from what I seen in my tape, I feel that they used him as a weapon in the pass defense, slotting him at slot receivers, and tight ends. His pass rush ability is very raw, but he has shown moves to get past defenders, and get off linemen if engaged. He also has the ability to fly around the ball, and improve our pass D, as he has the ability to D up on a Gronk or Hernandez. With Coples and Wilkerson providing an inside A gap rush, I feel that Jordan can thrive on the outside. So, with the 9th pick in the draft, the Jets select Dion Jordan! (OLB - Oregon)
Round 2:
There are a bunch of different directions we can go. Offensive Line, Safety, Wide Receiver, even Running Back, but I feel that everything starts with the quarterback.
EJ Manuel takes his reign as the next Jet quarterbck. Manuel possesses all the tools to become an elite prospect. I love his size. At 6'5 he'll have the ability to read defenses without having to struggle to find his receivers. He is a nice arm, and he really impressed me in the combine. I was a fan of his pre senior bowl, due to the fact he was 4-0 in bowl games, and had the ability to win the big game. He has an IT factor, and I love his ability to stick the ball in tight places. Add to that, he's a leader, and can ride the ship for us in New York. (QB - FSU)
Round 3:
Markus Wheaton
With Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards reunited, along with Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill, the team decides to add another playmaker. A team devoid of weapons adds another playmaker to the offense. With Braylon on a one year deal, Hill showing little to no signs in his rookie year, and Kerley stuck to the slot, the Jets can really use another playmaker. Wheaton is lighting quick with soft hands, and can run the complete route tree. A cross between Jeremy Maclin and Ocho Cinco. (WR - OSU)
Round 4:
Kenjon Barner
Leon 2.0? We grab an elusive, quick back, taylor made for the WCO. Barner is unique for an Oregon HB because he has the ability to run in the trenches. He's a waterbug that has tons of potential. Think a cross between Kendall Hunter and Lamachael James. (RB - Oregon)
Round 4:
Stephan Taylor
The do it all back that falls due to a less than impressive combine. Taylor is a guy that can catch out the backfield, run between tackles, and pass block with the best of them. He has deceiving elusiveness as well, and can make a man miss for a bigger back. His game is really unique, if I had to compare him to anyone, maybe a Cedric Benson or poor mans Matt Forte. (HB - Stanford)
Round 5:
Tyrann Matthieu. Tyrann is a flat out playmaker, that will inject life into our secondary. He is a really athletic kid, that just has the knack for finding the ball. He's a sound tackler, and hard hitter. I can see him moving to Safety, to compete for a starting job as a rookie. (DB - LSU)
Round 6:
Michael Williams - TE - Alabama
Williams is a guy that I really like. He's a guy with solid hands, and great blocking ability. We've been longing for a legit blocker for years now, and Williams would be the perfect compliment to a guy like Keller.
Round 7:
Anthony McCloud
Big bodied D-Lineman that was a viable piece on Florida State's roster. Solid D-Line depth. (DL - FSU)
Depth Chart -
QB: (Open Competition)
1) Mark Sanchez
2) EJ Manuel
3) Greg McCelroy
HB: (Open Competition)
1) Stephan Taylor
2) Kenjon Barner
3) Joe McKnight
4) Brian Leonad
FB:
Brian Leonard
WR:
1) Santonio Holmes
2) Braylon Edwards
3) Jeremy Kerley
4) Markus Wheaton
5) Stephen Hill
6) Jordan White
TE:
1) Dustin Keller
2) Michael Williams
3) Evan Moore
LT:
1) D'Brickishaw Ferguson
LG: (Open Competition)
1) Donald Thomas
2) Vladimir Ducasse
3) Jason Smith
C:
1) Nick Mangold
2) Caleb Schaluderaff
RG:
1) Brandon Moore
RT:
1) Austin Howard
2) Jason Smith
DE:
1) Quinton Coples
2) Anthony McCloud
NT:
1) Kenrick Ellis
2) Damon Harrison
3) Anthony McCloud
DT:
1) Muhammad Wilkerson
2) Damon Harrison
SLB:
1) Dion Jordan
2) Garrett McIntyre
MIKE:
1) David Harris
2) Josh Muage
TED:
1) Demario Davis
2) Nick Bellore
WILL: (Open Competition)
1) Aaron Curry
2) Garret McIntyre
CB:
1) Darrelle Revis
2) Antonio Cromartie
3) Kyle Wilson
4) Aaron Berry
5) Ellis Lankster
FS: (Open Competition)
1) Tyrann Matthieu
2) Josh Bush
SS: (Open Competition)
1) Yeremiah Bell
2) Antonio Allen
3) Josh Bush
K:
1) Jay Feely
P:
1) Robert Malone
LS:
1) Tanner Purdum
KR: Joe McKnight
PR: Tyrann Matthieu